The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NDLEA, NAFDAC not dissolved, says Fed Govt

    NDLEA, NAFDAC not dissolved, says Fed Govt

    The boards of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) are exempted from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval on Monday, dissolving federal government outfits’ Governing Boards.

    Secretary to the to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Kashim Shettima gave the clarification in a statement yesterday.

    According to a statement issued by Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Willie Bassey, the governing councils of the two agencies are exempted from dissolution.

    It reads: “Further to the directive on the dissolution of Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-owned Companies, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has clarified that the Boards of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) are exempted from such dissolution.”

  • Tinubu returns NEMA, NAHCON to VP Office

    Tinubu returns NEMA, NAHCON to VP Office

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the return of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the Office of the Vice President.

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari, during his second term, removed NEMA and NAHCON from the supervision of the Office of Vice President against extant laws.

    NAHCON was placed under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; NEMA was under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development created in 2019.

    A statement by the Director of Information in the Office of the Vice President, Mr Olusola Abiola, said the President complied with various establishment Acts.

    “The President has also approved a formal structure for the Office of the Vice President as well as an appropriate number of technical and administrative aides that will work with the Vice President in the discharge of his responsibilities,” the statement added.

  • Atiku, Obi to close case at tribunal this week

    Atiku, Obi to close case at tribunal this week

    An expert called by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi as witness, Mpeh Clarita Ogar, stunned all on yesterday at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    She told the court not to have knowledge of the winner of the February 25 presidential poll in Cross River State.

    Ogar, who described herself as a Cloud Engineer and Architect at the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Incorporated, admitted being a member of the LP, on which platform she contested the House of Representatives seat in Yala Ogoga Federal Constituency of Cross River State in the last election.

    AWS is one of the technology organisations whose services INEC utilised during the last election.

    Ogar said she did not know the party that won election in her state because she was not in court to testify as an election expert, but as a Cloud engineer and architect.

    On Monday, the petitioners tendered through the witness some reports in which she claimed that contrary to INEC’s claim that its system experienced glitches on the Election Day, no glitches occurred on AWS’s infrastructure.

    She had also claimed that there were no glitches while during the use of AWS’ software.

    Yesterday, the subpoenaed witness, while being cross-examined by lawyer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), admitted that she had sued INEC before the last election following the rejection of her name and information by the electoral body.

    She said her main complaint against INEC, in the suit, was that she tried several times to upload her information as a candidate on INEC site, but all her efforts failed because of network failure.

    The witness also admitted that she stated in an affidavit supporting the suit that INEC’s site crashed. She however claimed that the crash of INEC’s site did not amount to glitches.

    When confronted with information by Olanipekun that AWS had experienced system collapse many times in the past, the witness agreed that on February 28, 2017, AWS’ site experienced an outage for many hours.

    She equally agreed that as at 2021, AWS was reported to have suffered more than 27 outages.

    The witness also admitted that before she came to court to testify for the petitioners, she had attended before to witness proceedings in the case.

    Under cross-examination by lawyer to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), the witness said the subpoena issued on her was served on her personally.

    Ogar said she was not in court in the authority of her employer, but as an expert witness of the petitioners.

    Under cross-examination by lawyer to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogar insisted that there were no glitches experienced in INEC’s system on the poll day.

    At the conclusion of Ogar’s testimony, the Deputy Director, Department of Certification and Complaints in INEC, Mrs. Moronkeji Tairu, tendered the documents contained in the subpoena dated May 30 and issued on the INEC chairman on the request of the petitioners.

    Mrs. Tairu said some of the documents required by the petitioners are not in the Commission’s office and that some of the documents come from INEC’s offices across the country and that because of lack of logistics, those documents could not be produced as at yesterday.

    She added that the subpoena, dated May 30, was served on the commission on Monday and proceeded to hand other documents, including INEC’s manual for election officers to the petitioners and assured that more documents will be produced.

    The petitioners, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), told the court that INEC refused service of the subpoena all the while and all efforts to serve the commission proved abortive until Monday.

    The Deputy Director, ICT Department of INEC, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, also presented some documents contained in the June 16 subpoena issued on the INEC chairman and informed the court that the rest of the documents are work in progress.

    The court has adjourned further hearing till 2pm today.

    Earlier during the hearing in their petition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, hinted of plan to conclude the presentation of their case tomorrow before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    The leader of their legal team, Chris Uche (SAN) disclosed this at the resumed hearing in their petition yesterday.

    Although the petitioners had, during the preliminary hearing in the case, indicated their intention to call 100 witnesses, they called 25 as at Monday.

    Speaking outside the courtroom, Uche said the petitioners could still call five more witnesses to raise the total number of witnesses called by them to 30.

    Uche said that some of the documents to be tendered in the remaining two days would take the place of the remaining 70 witnesses.

    The senior advocate told newsmen after the proceedings: “We are closing our case on Thursday, it was supposed to end today (Tuesday) but because we lost two days, one of which was the June 12 public holiday, the court graciously extended our time by two days.”

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Uche applied to tender documents, which he said were handed to them by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to two subpoenas served on him.

    He tendered 14 bundles of voter register for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which admission was objected to by lawyers to the respondents.

    INEC’s counsel Kemi Pinheiro, (SAN), Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) for President Tinubu and Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), objected to the admissibility of the documents and  promised to advance their reasons at the point of filing final written addresses.

    The proceedings were however brought to an abrupt end when Uche moved to tender some bundles of certified true copies (CTCs) of election results, which he claimed was brought to them following second subpoena issued on INEC chairman.

    The Presiding Justice of the court, Justice Haruna Tsammani noted that the documents were not properly arranged and marked for easy reference.

    Uche blamed INEC for the state of the documents, claiming that the commission did not release the materials on time and was reluctant in release the others the petitioners requested for.

    He added that it was getting difficult for them to get election materials from INEC to prosecute their case, adding: “getting materials from INEC is like getting weapons from an opponent.”

    Uche suggested the creation of a separate body to always warehouse election materials immediately after election to allow easy access to such materials by petitioners.

    Responding, Pinheiro faulted Uche’s claim, insisting that neither the INEC nor its officials has any reason to withhold election materials from petitioners.

    Pinheiro accused the petitioners of not paying the required fees for the certification of the documents they planned to tender.

    “The petitioners have not paid for certification. We brought these documents from across the country,” he said.

    At a point, the court suspended proceedings for 10 minutes to enable the petitioners arrange the documents and mark them as required.

    When proceedings resumed later, Uche told the court that parties have agreed that the petitioners return home with the documents, prepare a schedule of documents and mark them for tendering today.

  • Emefiele will flee if admitted to bail, AGF, DSS tell court

    Emefiele will flee if admitted to bail, AGF, DSS tell court

    The  Department of State Services (DSS) has told the   Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that suspended Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Godwin Emefiele would flee the country if granted bail.

    The Service which, like the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF), defended the continued detention of   Emefiele, described him as a “flight risk.”.

     They stated these in separate counter-affidavits filed in a fundamental rights enforcement suit by the suspended CBN chief.

    While the  OAGF argued that Emefiele’s life was not in danger to warrant him being granted bail, the DSS warned that he could interfere with its investigations if released.

     After the resumed hearing of the suit in which Emefiele is challenging his detention yesterday, the DSS  denied not allowing his family members and lawyers to visit him.

    In its own affidavit,  the  OAGF dismissed the speculation that  Emefiele was being held for terrorist-related crimes. It also said he was not being victimised for his involvement in politics and the botched naira redesign policy.

    The OAGF said: “Issues of terrorism financing and fraudulent activities are not part of the grounds for the arrest and detention of the applicant. 

    “The respondents have not violated the applicant’s right to live in any way, his life is not in danger. The respondents did not subject the applicant to any judicial adjudication to warrant the allegation of denial of a fair hearing. 

    “With the remand order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the said violation of the applicant’s right to freedom of movement does not arise. 

    The respondents did not subject the applicant to any torture, the details of which have not been provided.”

    The DSS, on its part,  said that Emefiele was being held pursuant to an order of a competent court.

    It added    that  the suspended CBN boss   was arrested “upon reasonable suspicion of committing acts which constitute a criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public fund, economic sabotage,  economic crimes of national security dimension and undermining the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The counter-affidavit by the service reads in part: “Upon the arrest of the applicant, a detention order was duly and promptly procured from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the 2nd and 3rd respondents to keep the applicant in lawful custody for a period of  14 days when it became apparent that investigation into the allegations levelled against him would take a little while to conclude.

    “Also, the arrest of the applicant is not in connection with his financial or monetary policies, including the recent re-design of the naira which was approved by His Excellency, the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The applicant is still being investigated and as soon as the investigation is completed, the applicant will be immediately charged to court where necessary.

    “The applicant has enormous resources at his disposal and can easily interfere with an ongoing investigation and even evade subsequent arrest if released on bail.

    “The applicant is a flight risk and there is credible intelligence that he making a frantic effort to flee the country if released prematurely on bail.

    “The investigation has assumed a wider dimension and other collaborators fingered in the course of the investigation are at large and ought to be traced and arrested to enable a successful prosecution.

    “Any attempt to grant the applicant bail at this stage of the investigation may interfere with other exhibits yet to be collected and jeopardize ongoing investigation in the matter; 

    “The activities of the applicant constitute a potent threat to national security and cohesion of the Nigeria state;

    “The applicant instituted this suit with the sole aim of preventing the 2nd and 3rd respondents from discharging their statutory mandate by seeking to use this court  to fetter the hands of the 2nd and 3rd  respondents in the ongoing security investigation.”

    At the resumed hearing in Emefiele’s suit yesterday, the OAGF and the DSS faulted the claim by the suspended Governor of the CBN  that he was unlawfully detained.

    Emefiele had sued to challenge his continued detention by the DSS.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tijani Gazal, who represented the OAGF, urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that Emefiele’s allegation of unlawful detention was unfounded.

    Gazali said as the suspended CBN governor was being detained on the order of an FCT  Chief Magistrates Court.

    He told the court that the 0AGF (listed as the 1st respondent) was challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    The SAN  argued that Emefiele’s arrest and detention was an administrative decision of an arm of the Executive arm of government. 

    He stressed that a court’s jurisdiction is determined by the reliefs sought by an applicant.

    Lawyer to the DSS   I. Awo said there was a subsisting order to detain Emefiele.

    Awo, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit with cost.

    But Emefiele’s Lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit.

    Daudu pointed out that the alleged offences listed against his client were state offences that could be tried by the  High Court of the FCT.

    After entertaining arguments from parties, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned till July 13 for a ruling.

     ‘Emefiele’s    family members, lawyers not denied access’

     After the adjournment, the DSS  said in a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, that the celebration of the news of a court order to allow Emefiele’s lawyers and family members access to him was unnecessary.

    The service also said in the statement titled ”The DSS Operates Within its Mandate” that it expected expects attacks over the suspension of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman (EFCC) AbdulRasheed Bawa.

    The statement partly reads: “He(Emefiele) was never denied access. Ever since he was taken into custody, his family has continually accessed him. Same with medical officials. The impression that the Service is going to act on the prompting of the Court is not correct.”  

      Making reference to some “editorials”   considered unsavoury,  the DSS said it knew that some groups and persons would come up with frivolous allegations against it.

    The service added: “These entities may also exploit unpatriotic members of the service to spread falsehoods, propaganda and hate in order to project the organisation in a bad light. Given their reach and war chest to mobilise forces against Government and its key officials, the adversaries may intend to cause distractions to the ongoing investigations as directed by the C-in-C (Commander-in-Chief). However, the Service will not depose its professionalism for cheap backlash nor discharge its duty with prejudice or fear.”  

  • CAMA sections’ applicability to banks that are public companies

    CAMA sections’ applicability to banks that are public companies

    On February 14, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023 (the “BFA”). Section 14 of the BFA amended sections 275 (1) and (2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, which previously provided as follows: 

     “(1)   A public company shall have at least three independent directors.”  

    (2) “In a public company, any person who nominates candidates for the board who would comprise a majority of the members of the board shall nominate at least three persons who would be independent directors.” 

     With the Amendment, Sections 275 (1) and (2) now provide as follows: 

     “(1) A public company shall have at least one-third of the total number of its directors as independent directors. 

    (2) In a public company, any person who nominates candidates for the board, who would comprise a majority of the members of the board shall nominate at least one-third number of persons who would be independent directors

     The consequence of the amendment is that public companies can no longer appoint a minimum of three independent directors. The new requirement compels public companies to appoint not less than one-third of their board members as independent directors.

     So, for instance, if an affected public company has 18 members on its board, six of them are required by the amendment to be independent directors. Under the old law, it would have been three.

     The impact of 275 (1) & (2) of CAMA (as amended) is that some public companies may need to replace Non-Executive Directors or Executive Directors on its board with independent directors to maintain the threshold of one-third of the board members provided by the new section 275 of CAMA. Some boards of public companies may lose policy control of their companies.  

     Some stakeholders have raised the question as to whether Section 275 (1) & (2) of CAMA (as amended) applies to banks that are public companies.

     Our position is that it does not apply to banks that are public companies because 275 (1) & (2) of CAMA (as amended) conflicts with two specific laws on banking: The Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses, 2014 (The code is subsidiary legislation of the CBN Act, thus has the effect of the CBN Act) and also the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020. Sections 275 (1) & (2) of CAMA (as amended) may also be unconstitutional.

      Section 29 (1) of BOFIA, 2020 provides that “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act or in any other enactment, the Bank (the CBN) shall have and exercise regulatory and supervisory power over banks, other financial institutions, and specialised banks to the exclusion of any other agency or institution”. 

     The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), pursuant to its exclusive regulatory and supervisory powers over banks in Section 29 (1) of BOFIA, has issued the Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses 2014. The Code in Section 2.2.4 provides as follows: ”The board of banks shall have at least two (2) Non-Executive Directors as Independent Directors while that of Discount Houses shall have at least one (1) as defined in the CBN guidelines on the appointment of Independent Directors.” 

     It is trite law that ‘generalia specialibus non-derogant’: where there is a conflict between general legislation and specific legislation on the same subject matter, the specific legislation prevails (see Bamgboye v Administrator-General, 1994, 14 WACA 616; Abubakar v Nasamu no.2, 2012, 17 NWLR, pt.1330, 523 at 576; and America Specification Autos Ltd & Anor v AMCON, 2017 LPELR-44016, CA.).

     Quite obviously, the amendment puts the position of CAMA (general legislation) in conflict with the Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses, 2014, as well as the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020(specific legislation). The combined effect of Section 29 (1) and the plethora of case laws is that Sections 275 (1) and (2) of CAMA (as amended) do not apply to banks that are public companies.

     In addition, Sections 275 (1) and (2) of CAMA (as amended) appear to violate the right to freedom of association and enterprise. Compelling public companies to appoint to their board significant numbers of Independent Directors who may not share the vision of the public company can make the board lose policy control of the company. This is unconstitutional and amounts to indirect expropriation/violation of the right to free enterprise.  This article is to bring this matter to the attention of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) the administrator of the Companies and Allied Matter Act. 

    • Okeke is Associate Partner at Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL). Ejeh is an Associate in the firm.
  • Osun APC: Softly, softly

    Osun APC: Softly, softly

    This is not the time for reckoning of the fortunes and misfortunes of the All Progressives Congress in Osun state. Nevertheless, any intervention in the politics of the state must acknowledge the successive losses of four major elections in the state in the last rounds of elections: the governorship election; the presidential election; the National Assembly election; and the state’s House of Assembly election. It is no exaggeration to assert that APC was wiped out completely.

    The situation calls for sober reflection, rather than grandstanding or divisive rhetoric. As I will point out in the near future, it is myopic to conclude that the losses were due to factionalism alone. True, the recalcitrancy of the two principals in the conflict fuelled the split of party members. However, even more important factors contributed to the losses. Of course, the Peoples Democratic Party took advantage of the factionalism within the APC to enhance their chances in other areas.

    I was charged with the conduct of the opinion poll for the state. It was clear from the poll that care must be taken to avoid defeat. I explained the details of the areas in which the PDP had competitive advantage to the Governor. However, he chose to ignore the poll for reasons I will explain later.

    It is against these backgrounds that I comment briefly on recent political developments in the state. The first was the party restructuring committee set up by Governor Gboyega Oyetota before the Tribunal judgements were exhausted. It was headed by Professor Isaac Adewole, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and former Minister of Health. Not a few observers thought at the time that the committee was hastily set up to preempt the eventual return to Osun by former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, after the expiration of his ministerial term in Abuja on May 29, 2023.

    True to form, Aregbesola did show up in Osogbo and Ilesa about a week or so ago. He visited traditional rulers in both towns and addressed a large gathering of supporters, typified by artisans and market women. His apology was couched to appeal to this group of supporters, who are likely to conclude: “O ti bebe. Aforiji lo ku”.

    However, it was igbimo agba, led by Chief Sola Akinwumi that responded. In the eyes of the elders, Aregbesola still was not contrite enough. Some even thought he took back as much apology as he gave. In their own judgement, he should formally apologise for his “misdeeds” before he could be re-admitted to the party. The question is: Where did he go?

    While holding judgement on the position of the elders regarding Aregbesola, the Chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal, was firm about sanctioning those engaged in anti-party activities. In a statement that lacks institutional memory, the Chairman said: “Meanwhile, we must be clear about this, we are not restructuring the party. The party is intact in Osun under Baba Bisi Akande and Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.” Yet, “restructuring” is one of the tasks before the Adewole committee. Elsewhere, the Chairman made it clear that he was focused on those who served in the administration of Governor Oyetola.

    Be that as it may, a party which lost four critical elections in a row in one electoral cycle cannot afford to take the high road in reforming the party. Rather, it must work toward inclusiveness. That’s why the idea of sanctions should not be the starting point of negotiations.

    Perhaps a lesson for the party Chairman is in order here. Governor Oyetola reached out to the former SSG, Moshood Adeoti, who defected to the ADP in the 2018 governorship election and nearly cost Oyetola the election. He did not make any noise about it. Unfortunately, however, negotiations fell through, when the Governor refused to welcome Adeoti and his supporters to the APC with the customary welcome back jamboree. The rest is history.

    The truth is that if the APC in Osun must make progress, the dividing line between Ileri and Oranmiyan must be blurred. Besides, there is no way progress could be made if the two leaders of these factions do not talk to each other and to their supporters. This must be the focus of party leaders in Osun. It is not going to be easy. But it must be done.

  • Wide acclaim greets Service Chiefs’, other appointments

    Wide acclaim greets Service Chiefs’, other appointments

    • ‘It’s a unifier’
    • Acting IG: I will battle criminals like tiger

    The appointment of new Service chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu drew acclaim yesterday from eminent Nigerians.

    Governors, monarchs, senators, House of Representatives members and other groups, said President was on course.

    President Tinubu made key security appointments in a major shake-up.

    The new Service Chiefs are Maj. Gen. Christopher Gewbi Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Maj.-Gen. Taoreed A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Rear Admiral Emmanuel A. Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Hassan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff (CAS). 

    They will hold office in acting capacities.

    Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police Kayode Egbetokun was named the acting Inspector-General of Police while Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is the NSA.

    Egbetokun, who was decorated yesterday by Vice President Kashim Shettima, vowed to take the battle to criminals.

    He said he felt like a tiger and a lion ready to attack their prey.

    Among the governors who hailed the appointments are Uba Sani (Kaduna), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti). 

    Others are House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George; Secretary to Kano State Government Baffa Bichi; PDP governorship aspirant in Kano State, Mr. Jafar Bello and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.

    Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Mike Ejiofor; the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) and rights activist Deji Adeyanju also welcomed the appointments, among others.

    Governors excited 

    Sani said the appointment of Gen. Musa, an indigene of the state, as the CDS, was well-deserved.

    In a statement, the governor said: “He is a worthy ambassador of Kaduna State, having had a distinguished military career and held many strategic positions, including Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai.”

    Sani emphasised that Gen. Musa has been exemplary in his professional conduct throughout his years of military service. 

    He praised the new CDS for his diligence, dedication, and loyalty, which have now been rewarded with his elevation.

    Sani expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for recognising the worthiness of their son for such an important national assignment.

    Adeleke hailed the appointments of Maj.-Gen. Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the acting Comptroller-General of Customs. 

    He described the appointments as a recognition of capacity and outstanding track records.

    The governor, who welcomed the elevation of the two indigenes of Osun as a great honour, thanked President Tinubu for trusting the duo with important roles.

    In a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, he expressed strong belief in their capacity to deliver on their assigned mandates. 

    Tinubu’s appointment reasonable, says George 

    George, a known critic of the president, said rejigging the security architecture was reasonable.

    He said he was not averse to working with Tinubu if he is invited and permitted by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    The former military governor of Ondo State spoke on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today.

    George, who said he was not an enemy of the president, said the appointments were a departure from the past, adding that they reflected federal character.

    He urged President Tinubu to revisit Goodluck Jonathan’s report on restructuring and called for the creation of state police.

    He also said he was not averse to working with the president if he is invited to come on board. 

    But he added that he would need the permission of his party before accepting any offer.

    He said: “On relieving the service chiefs and appointing a new set of service chiefs, Tinubu’s start-off is reasonable, though not perfect. At least, it is better than what we had known before.

    “To lead the country is not an easy job and the only thing we can also do is to pray for whoever occupies the seat of the president. It is not a matter of totalitarianism or know-it all syndrome. You need a lot of good advisers, introspection.

    “Now, the president is doing some balancing. So far, it is reasonable.

    “For me, as regards the federal character, the appointment Tinubu has made so far is still reasonable.

    “Let the President approve state police for us. He should revisit the report by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Though I am an irredentist member of the PDP, if the president calls me to work with him, I’ll go and seek permission from my party before considering it.

    “I have no qualms with Tinubu. If we are fighting, it is not to death.”

    Bichi and Bello hailed the appointments.

    According to them, President Tinubu has shown that he knows his onions with these appointments.

    They also expressed hope that with the crop of new security chiefs, the security challenges would soon be surmounted.

    Bichi said: “The appointments were very much expected. Looking at the appointments, they are balanced. 

    “The president has again shown that he knows his onions and he will select the correct set of people. 

    “By and large, we believe that these choices are good for the country. We congratulate them and wish them well.”

    Bello, who faulted some who have been agitating over the likely choice of Ribadu as the NSA, said that was a wrong mindset.

    He said: “This is about competence, capacity and capability. 

    “And I think that Mr. President has done the right thing to stand his ground on the choice of Ribabu and this is a welcome development.

    “The president has to put every square peg in square holes and round pegs in round holes.

    “With these appointments, it is clear that the president has the security of the nation at the bottom of his heart.

    “And there could be no better time than now to rearrange the security architecture of this country.”

    Deputy Speaker seeks support for Ogalla

    Kalu commended the President for appointing Rear Admiral Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff.

    He described the appointment as a diversity–sensitive one by the president, who is determined to lead an all inclusive government and promote national cohesion in the country.

    He thanked President Tinubu for his proactiveness in appointing capable hands to man key areas of the new administration.

    The deputy speaker congratulated the new Chief of Naval Staff and urged the Southeast to support the current administration as their interests are well secured by Tinubu.

    Alhaji Gambari described the appointment of Egbetokun as a reward for diligence, hard work and patriotism.

    The Chairman of Kwara Traditional Rulers Council conveyed his felicitation in a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Malam Abdulazeez Arowona.

    He described Egbetokun as a detribalised Nigerian, adding that he is committed to the security and protection of lives and property of the nation.

    The emir recalled that when Egbetokun was the Commissioner of Police in Kwara between January 2019 and December 2020, he fought crime and criminality across the state.

    Ejiofor: TInubu dousing tension in Southeast

    Ex-DSS chief Ejiofor hailed President Tinubu for promoting fairness in the appointments.

    Describing them as all-inclusive, he added: “I’m more delighted that the Southeast is now represented and this is a way of dousing tension.

    “I don’t think he (Tinubu) wants to look at solving the security challenges we have with the jackboot method that we’ve all been using.”

    The former DSS director commended the President for appointing somebody from the Southeast, stating that he had received several calls following the news.

    He said: “It’s a way of building confidence and reassuring the people. The President should be commended.”

    ‘Tinubu uniting Nigeria’

    The NCYP commended President Tinubu for promoting equity in the country.

    In a statement, its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said the appointments reinforce the belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket during the election was never intended to disrespect Christians, especially those in the North, but a strategic move to secure electoral victory.

    Urging Christians and all Nigerians to wholeheartedly embrace the schemes of things in the Tinubu-led administration, and foster unity within the diverse nation, the NCYP urged those appointed by the president to serve Nigeria as one regardless of any basis of ethnicity, or faith.

    Abrak said: “In particular, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Musa as the Chief of Staff. Maj.-Gen. Musa, a northern Christian from the minority tribe of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna state, has been appointed despite the fact that his local government did not strongly support the President during the election.

    “This appointment stands as a shining example that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not engage in the politics of bitterness, which is unfortunately rare among politicians. Instead, he governs with remarkable ingenuity and inclusiveness, leading all Nigerians as one united nation.”

    He added: “President Tinubu with his rare ingenuity has set aside the politics of the election and is now governing all Nigerians as one, without distinction. His visionary leadership deserves our admiration, and support and is worthy of emulation by all politicians, especially the emerging generation.”

    “The Northern Christian Youth Professionals calls upon all Christians and Nigerians to unite in prayer for the well-being of the President. 

    “Let us pray for his wisdom, good health, and divine guidance as he leads our great nation through these challenging times. 

    “By standing together and offering our collective support, we can help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.”

    Rights activist Deji Adeyanju commended the President for appointing Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as NSA.

    He described the appointment as fitting and a courageous decision by the President.

    In a statement, Adeyanju said: “As Nigeria gradually exits a period where political appointments, once made, were retained for the duration of their term, irrespective of the appointee’s incompetence, it is important to remind President Tinubu that military appointments are not to be made as political patronage.

    “If the new service chiefs fail in their duty, they should equally be sacked without much ado. Only through this means can we have service chiefs whose loyalty is to the Nigerian state.

    “I also use this medium to congratulate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on his appointment as the National Security Adviser. Mallam Ribadu has had a stellar career, and expect that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the nation’s security affairs.

    “I call on the new service chiefs and acting Inspector General of Police to eschew interagency conflict and corruption.

    “President Bola Tinubu and all newly appointed officials must make efforts to halt the decline in every strata of our national life,” he said.

    Group hails Tinubu for appointing Ribadu 

    Founder and Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, hailed President Tinubu for appointing Ribadu as NSA.

    Lawal in a statement said the appointment demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus.

    He added that Ribadu brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the field of intelligence as an outstanding and highly respected retired police officer.

    He added: “This unprecedented decision demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

    “Mallam Ribadu brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the field of intelligence as an outstanding and highly respected retired police officer.”

    Oyebanji hails Alake’s appointment

    The President also got kudo for appointing competent technocrats into other positions.

    Oyebanji thanked President Tinubu for the appointments of two illustrious indigenes-Dele Alake as Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, and Ibrahim Olanrewaju as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

    Oyebanji who described the duo as “very experienced, hardworking and capable,” said he was happy the President found them worthy of such significant positions in his government.

    The Governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Yinka Oyebode, said he was optimistic that the former lawmaker would excel in his new role as the President’s Liaison Officer in the National Assembly, giving his antecedence as a decent and pragmatic politician and lawmaker, who served as Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Production Services as well as a member of the Defence, Judiciary, Environment and Justice committees in the 9th House of Representatives.

    While congratulating Olanrewaju on the new appointment, which he described as a notable recognition of his steadfastness, political maturity and high-level integrity, Governor Oyebanji urged him to deploy his energy, contact, tact and political sagacity in building an excellent working relationship between the National Assembly and the Presidency, a development he said is crucial to the country’s political stability.

    Oyebanji said Alake’s wealth of experience as a Veteran journalist, prolific writer, media manager, pro-democracy activist and political communication strategist would add great value to the administration’s commitment to running a people-oriented government, where effective communication with the citizenry is very key.   

    He described the Ikoro-Ekiti-born veteran journalist as a highly decorated journalist and communication strategist who has continued to demonstrate a great capacity for communication strategies and perception management since his role as a Communication Adviser to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola in the nineties; his eight years stint as Commissioner for Information and Strategy during the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in Lagos State and his recent role as Communication Adviser during the presidential campaigns, with outstanding performance.

    ‘Tinubu is gender sensitive’

    An educationist and gender activist, Osamaye Seun Bosede, congratulated Hadiza Bala Usman, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and other women appointed into key positions by President Tinubu.

    Osamaye commended President Tinubu for being gender sensitive in his appointments so far, asserting that the President would perform beyond expectations and prove his critics wrong.

    Osamaye said in a statement that “these appointments are a significant step towards the advancement of women in the country and a testament to the President’s commitment to gender equality.”

    A group, Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (COGGA), hailed Tinubu for appointing female technocrats and core professionals into positions.

    The group made the commendation yesterday at a news conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, urging the President to always boost the confidence of Nigerians in his administration.

    The National Coordinator of COGGA, Comrade Amatare Mozimo, applauded President Tinubu for hitting the ground running, barely three weeks after assuming the leadership of Africa’s most populous nation.

    He said it was against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s giant strides that COGGA is urging him to consider a frontline chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Ongoebi Maureen Orubide Etebu, as a minister.

    Mozimo said Etebu, a Bayelsa-born Professor of Engineering with three doctoral degrees and four Masters in core engineering fields of mechanical, industrial, power and energy from top Ivy-League universities across the globe, would boost the President’s ministerial pick.

    He stated: “We are full of admiration for the rich resume of the female engineer of impeccable character. Prof. Etebu’s pedigree is second to none as President Tinubu shall find her worthy and capable to work with.

  • NEITI raises more dust over NNPCL’s 60m daily petrol consumption claim

    NEITI raises more dust over NNPCL’s 60m daily petrol consumption claim

    • Agency begins process to determine actual figure

    The 60 million litres of petrol claimed by the former subsidy support programme managers as Nigeria’s daily consumption is inflated, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) insisted yesterday.

    NEITI said it has commissioned a study to ascertain the actual quantity.

    The study, according to the NEITI Executive Secretary, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, will cover the subsidy era and the period after the policy removal on May 29.

    But Orji, who did not give the study’s time limit, described the operation of the subsidy support programme as opaque.

    He spoke at the stakeholders’ validation workshop on the 2022 Annual Progress Report (ARP) in Nigeria Extractive Industries in Abuja yesterday. 

    Orji described the removal of subsidy as a “bold step,’ and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to reverse it.

    He said: “For a very long time, NEITI’s position has been ‘remove subsidy.  And this government right from day one has taken that bold step and there shouldn’t be any going back.  

    “For us in NEITI, we still believe that subsidy removal will still throw up other issues. 

    “The issue that we know will happen is the actual figure, the actual figure of consumption. We believe the figures that are being thrown up as daily consumption in Nigeria, but we do not think that is very correct. 

    “We think we need to have an empirical figure and that is why NEITI is just commissioning a study on the actual PMS consumption in Nigeria. 

    “We have every reason to believe that the figure is less than what is being projected.”

    Orji, who noted that so many facts were swept under the carpet in the management of the subsidy, also urged all the actors to take their leave.

    He said:  ”I have highlighted that there was a need to remove subsidy and a lot was hiding under subsidy. Now that subsidy is removed let everybody find his way. 

    “The removal of subsidy has also removed all the incentives for hyping these figures and highlighting these figures in a manner that lacks logical empirical reasoning. 

    “The removal of subsidy will remove opacity and suspicious budgeting based on an estimate.

    “That is why subsidy removal is a very fundamental policy shift that needs to be sustained.”

    Orji expressed optimism that with the removal, the country has now freed a lot of resources to develop infrastructure: roads, electricity, healthcare and job creation.

    He enjoined the media and civil society organisations to call for robust and prudent management of the savings from subsidy removal for building infrastructure. 

    Orji also advised the government to introduce instant measures to alleviate the impacts of the removal of subsidy on the masses.

    The NEITI  chief said: “The second stage is also some short-term steps that need to be put in place to cushion the immediate effects that subsidy has brought to bear on the very vulnerable less – privilege poor who are spread across the working class, the non-working class and the unemployed. 

    “We just need the impact of this subsidy removal to reflect in the general well-being of Nigerians and also in our socio-infrastructure.

    “We should move forward from there and then put in place a robust arrangement that will show a clear departure from the manner we had operated under subsidy. 

    “Nigerians want to see what will change when subsidy is no more.”

    He revealed that he has already informed the global body:  Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) that Nigeria now has a new government that has commenced massive reforms.”

    He noted that some of the reforms have affected the NEITI board.

    Orji revealed that he would soon have an audience with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on the need to quickly reconstitute the board.

    In his goodwill message, NNPCL Chief Compliance Officer, Mr Nasir Usman, said there is a global perception of Nigeria as “corrupt.”

  • Tinubu in Paris for global summit

    Tinubu in Paris for global summit

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last night arrived in Paris, France, to participate in the review and signing of a New Global Financial Pact.

    His plane touched down at about 6:47pm and he was received by top government officials.

    The pact signing, it was gathered, would place the vulnerable countries on priority list for support and investment, following devastating impact of climate change, energy crisis, and the after-effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    The two-day summit to be hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron, with the theme: “Focus 2030” will hold between tomorrow and Friday at Palais Brongniart.

    Macron announced the plan to host the summit during the COP27 summit in Egypt.

    Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, in a statement, said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tuesday arrived in Paris, France, preparatory to the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, which will be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. 

    “President Tinubu was received at the airport by Ambassador Kayode Laro and other top government officials from the Nigerian Embassy and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the plane touched down at 6.47pm local time. 

    “President Tinubu will receive detailed briefs on Wednesday from Ambassador Laro, Permanent Secretary Adamu Lamuwa, and other officials on Nigeria’s position on the Summit, and the scheduled sideline meetings with leaders and multilateral institutions. 

    “The President will participate in a two-day Summit, June 22nd and 23rd, that looks at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted, mobilize innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change and economies struggling with the effects of Covid-19 and energy crisis”. 

    President Tinubu and the other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists will take a more holistic look at the recovery of economies from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and rising cases of poverty, with a view to providing access to finance and investment that will leverage inclusive growth. 

    The President is accompanied by members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and senior government officials.

    President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, will lead a roundtable discussion about the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa with heads of state and representatives of development partners on 22 June 2023, according to organizers.

    Numerous leaders have already been confirmed, including Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva, President of Brazil, and many others. 

    Numerous representatives of international organizations, philanthropists and activists will also be present: Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Vanessa Nakate, activist and UN Goodwill Ambassador, Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and more.

  • Can Ondo deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa succeed Akeredolu?

    Can Ondo deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa succeed Akeredolu?

    Ahead of next year’s governorship election in Ondo state, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties have commenced internal politicking to have a commonly acceptable candidate, as endorsements for interested aspirants have continued to trend within the political circle in the state.

    Though he is yet to publicly declare his interest for the plum job, many political watchers monitoring the development believe that the State’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is keenly interested to slug it out with others in a few months’ time when the ruling party will hold its primary.

    But, clearly, Aiyedatiwa is currently facing a battle for political survival ahead of next year’s governorship election. He is one of the aspirants eyeing the party’s ticket for next year’s governorship election.

    The acting governor will face an array of experienced politicians to contend with. These include the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; Chief Olusola Oke and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. The list also includes the Ondo State representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Gbenga Edema; the Secretary to State Government, Oladunni Odu; as well as Morayo Lebi, Ayo Oritedi, Agboola Ajayi, Eyitayo Jegede, Matthew Oyerimade, Erewa Godday, Victor Akinjo, Sola Ebiseni among others.

    There are two sides to the story. The one being bandied all over the state is that history repeating itself in Ondo State because Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is unlucky to have another deputy who is capitalising on his ill health.

    A politician puts it this way: “Governor Akeredolu has not been lucky with those he picks as deputies. In the governor’s first term, he was said to have given so much power to his then-deputy, Agboola Ajayi. Governor Akeredolu fell ill at the time and travelled abroad for treatment. In his absence, Ajayi was said to have lobbied the then-9th Assembly under Speaker Bamidele Oloyolegun to declare him acting governor. Ajayi’s quest failed after Akeredolu returned hale and hearty. Following that incident, the once robust relationship between Akeredolu and Ajayi went sour till the end of his first tenure.”

    But, Aiyedatiwa’s supporters insist his detractors have been trying to create the impression that he has betrayed his principal in his quest to achieve his ambition of being the next substantive governor. It is one of the political intrigues, they added, being concocted to discredit him ahead of the contest. They believe he is being unjustly accused of betrayal and disloyalty towards his principal by other politicians who are equally interested in the job. To them, Aiyedatiwa remains the most loyal deputy governor in recent times and they insist that he is Governor Akeredolu’s preferred successor because of the relationship existing between them.

    “Meanwhile, because of the reports of the deputy governor’s excesses, the governor wasn’t pleased with him. We know the deputy governor has already assured some members of the exco that he would soon mount the saddle as governor of the state. Already, he has settled for a commissioner from Ifedore Local Government to be his deputy, should he become governor’’, a close confident of the governor, who preferred to be anonymous had said to The Nation.

    The matter has taken a different dimension with what appears like a campaign of calumny to discredit the deputy governor. This came to light when the Society for Women Empowerment (SWE) issued a seven-day ultimatum to Aiyedatiwa, to tender a public apology to his wife, Oluwaseun, for beating her in the presence of his staff.

    National Coordinator, Mrs. Damilola Charles, alleged that the deputy governor repeatedly beat his wife in the presence of his staff and friends and threatened the group would carry out a massive protest if Aiyedatiwa failed to apologise.

    The statement reads: “We have taken our time to investigate and confirm the allegations of domestic violence between Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa. Rumour mills are abuzz about the condemnable act of the deputy governor.

    “It is unacceptable that a deputy governor would physically assault his wife and inflicted grievous bodily injuries on her. It is equally disturbing that the deputy governor would perpetrate this crime against humanity and womanhood and attempt to cover it up.

    Press Secretary, Kenneth Odusola, described reports of his domestic abuse and assault on his wife as baseless and false.”

    Aiyedatiwa said the intention of the peddlers to cause a crisis in the state had been known for weeks. In a press statement, Aiyedatiwa’s Press Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Odusola, denied the allegation. He said: “Any report of alleged domestic issues within the family should be taken as the handiwork of the enemies of the state who are bent on causing crisis where there is none and we therefore warn those spreading such falsehood to desist or face the consequences.

    “It is concerning to see that a faceless group said to be headed by a name not known anywhere in the state could sell such fabrication to media men. It is more concerning, however, that such lie, which was not backed with any evidence whatsoever, could be promoted into a news item by journalists.”

    The Society for Women Empowerment (SWE), which issued the ultimatum, dared Aiyedatiwa to ask his wife to deny the alleged battery if it didn’t happen. We have read the reaction of the deputy governor.

    It is funny how the deputy governor was approbating and reprobating. The group added: “We are particularly interested in pursuing this to a logical conclusion because there are many women out there who are dying in silence and suffering from domestic abuse. They are soaking their pillows in tears and afraid to speak up because their husbands are highly placed. We are saying, no more domestic violence; irrespective of your status.”

    Odusola described the reports of domestic abuse and assault as baseless and false. He said the intention of the peddlers to cause a crisis in the state had been known for weeks.

    The statement said: “Any report of alleged domestic issues within the family should be taken as the handiwork of the enemies of the state who are bent on causing crisis where there is none and we therefore warn those spreading such falsehood to desist or face the consequences.

    “It is concerning to see that a faceless group said to be headed by a name not known anywhere in the state could sell such fabrication to media men. It is more concerning, however, that such lie, which was not backed with any evidence whatsoever, could be promoted into a news item by journalists.”

    Aiyedatiwa said enemies were at work to ensure he got out of the way ahead of next year’s governorship election. The deputy governor insisted that he has been loyal to Akeredolu, and described the speculations to take over the control of position of power from his boss as products of the imagination of rumour peddlers.

    Ayedatiwa maintained that he had always been loyal to Akeredolu even before he became the Governor and will not do anything to undermine his boss or betray him. He said he has demonstrated unalloyed loyalty to the governor throughout their long relationship earned him the position of deputy governor and will not do anything to undermine his principal.”